Must-see Manchester theatre this November FT HOME, Contact, Hope Mill and more

There’s still time to catch this haunting adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s cult classic at the Royal Exchange. This oddly moving and unnerving coming-of-age story tells the tale of lonely, bullied Oskar and his powerful bond with Eli, a strange girl hiding a dark secret. Let the Right One In is a boy-meets-girl story with an unsettling twist and Jack Thorne’s stage adaptation has already been welcomed to Manchester with rave reviews. 

Polish off your glass slippers and head to Hope Mill Theatre this November for an enchanting night of music and magic. This autumn sees Manchester play host to the theatrical premiere of the 2013 Broadway musical, complete with a dazzling Roger and Hammerstein score and plenty of fairytale charm. Expect the unexpected in this clever retelling of the classic story. 

This vivid reimagining of Chekhov’s classic play sees an old starship travel through space, in search of a planet to call home. Will the crew leap into a new future, or stay stuck on this journey forever? Adapted for a new era by Vinay Patel, one of the UK’s most promising young writers and the upcoming writer of Netflix’s TV adaption of One Day, this is a playful exploration of themes of family, belonging and home. 

Escape from the cold Autumn nights and take a trip to the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Lowry this November. Based on the Sunday Times bestseller which inspired the much-loved film, this is a joyous comedy about taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances, even in the most surprising of places. Starring the icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Academy, BAFTA and Golden Globe-Award winner, Hayley Mills (Wild at Heart, Pollyanna, The Parent Trap). 

This immersive new show from Half Moon theatre company follows cousins Farhan and Sadiq as they negotiate questions of multicultural identity and belonging against the heady backdrop of London’s 1990s daytime rave scene. Accompanied by a DJ mix merging soundscapes, dance music and spoken word, join these unlikely heroes as they try to decide what it means to be British and Pakistani, a Muslim and a man.